Source: Telegraph
Chelsea crisis: Guus Hiddink ruled out by his agent
Chelsea are known to prefer a candidate who would be immediately available, leaving Frank Rijkaard and Roberto Mancini among the initial front-runners for a position Roman Abramovich would ideally like to fill before Saturday's FA Cup tie against Watford. In the meantime, Ray Wilkins takes charge.[LNB]Guus Hiddink, the bookmakers' immediate favourite, refused to answer questions about his future on Monday, although his agent insisted that he would remain committed to ensuring that Russia qualified for the World Cup.[LNB]"Guus wants to qualify for the World Cup for a fourth time in a row and with a fourth different team," said Cees van Nieuwenhuizen "There's no chance of him going to Chelsea, as he very much likes what he is doing. Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich would not make too many friends in Russia if he steals Guus away from the national team."[LNB]Mancini's agent, Giorgio De Giorgis, said the former Inter Milan manager had not yet heard from Chelsea. "No one has contacted us so I can rule Mancini out of going to Chelsea. We know about Scolari's sacking but they would have already called us if they were thinking about Roberto. "[LNB]Gianfranco Zola and Steve Clarke have also been linked with returning to Chelsea, though West Ham would fight to keep their managerial team.[LNB]"We know nothing," said Zola's lawyer, Fulvio Marrucco. "Gianfranco is very happy at West Ham and still thanks them for giving him the opportunity. It is very difficult to say if anything will happen, but Chelsea is a special place for Gianfranco."[LNB]Avram Grant is also in contention, though he is understood to be a back-up option and unlikely to return after being sacked in the aftermath of the Champions League final defeat against Manchester United.[LNB]Scolari's departure certainly sent reverberations through football yesterday. "I am really surprised," said Sir Alex Ferguson, the Manchester United manager. "He only took the job seven months ago. There was great expectation at Chelsea that they were going to do well this year – and it is only this last month they have had a bad spell.[LNB]"The judgment really is only on the last month. He is a man of great experience; he took Brazil to World Cup winners. It is a sign of the times. There is absolutely no patience in the world now."[LNB]Chelsea forward Didier Drogba, who had struggled to get into the team under Scolari, said: "Results have not been the best, but we still had time to put things right and had enough fighting qualities, especially with our progression in the Champions League. But our bad results have been decisive.[LNB]"The club never spoke with the players about this and the decision has been made from people at the top."[LNB]Scolari's sacking has also caused surprise in his native Brazil. "Scolari is an established coach," said Brazil coach Dunga. "There is no doubt about his skills. He's a world champion. Managers don't have enough time to do their job and to get to know their players any more." [LNB]
